The internal thoracic vein (previously known as the internal mammary vein) arises from the superior epigastric vein. It drains the chest wall and breasts.
Gross anatomy
The internal thoracic vein arises from the union of the musculophrenic and superior epigastric vein. It forms venae comitantes to the internal thoracic artery and accompanies it in its course, ascending lateral to the sternum and deep to the costal cartilages, before uniting to form a single vein 1. After uniting, each internal thoracic vein drains into its respective brachiocephalic vein 2.
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